Mailbox supply and installation business

Homeowners replacing damaged or old mailboxes, new-home builders and remodelers, landlords, and HOAs.

You mark up the mailbox and post, then charge a flat fee for installation. Repeat work comes from builders and property managers who need multiple units.

• Basic hands-on skills with tools and concrete
• Measuring and following placement guidelines
• Friendly, reliable customer service

• Check USPS rules on mailbox height, distance from the curb and approved designs, and ask your local postmaster before installing
• Call 811 before digging to have underground utility lines marked
• Check with your state licensing board whether installation work needs a contractor license, as small jobs may be treated differently
• General liability insurance, plus a sales tax permit or resale certificate for your state
• Cluster box units in new developments often have their own USPS rules, so check before quoting

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on the stock and tools you buy. These are estimates, so decide how many mailbox styles you will carry before you spend.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many installs you book and whether you win bulk orders from builders or landlords. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week.

Check USPS rules on mailbox height, distance from the curb and approved designs, and ask your local postmaster. Call 811 before digging. Check with your state licensing board whether installs need a contractor license, and arrange insurance and a sales tax permit.